Government working on social security net for contractual workers

The Government is implementing the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008.

The Government wants to ensure that the unorganised workers, including contractual workers engaged in establishments having less than ten workers, get social security benefits as available to the workers in the organised sector.

The Indian government is implementing the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008. The Act stipulates formulation of suitable welfare schemes for unorganised workers, on matters relating to life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, and old-age protection.

The Government has recently converged the social security schemes of Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) with the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) to provide life and disability coverage to the unorganised workers for the age group of 18 to 50 years, depending upon their eligibility. The annual premium is shared on 50:50 basis by the Central Government and the state governments.

The converged schemes give coverage of Rs.2 lakhs on death, at a premium of Rs.330/- per annum and coverage of Rs.2 lakhs on accidental death at a premium of Rs.12 per annum, besides disability benefit as per scheme. These converged schemes are being implemented by the Life Insurance Corporation of India.

Facilities, such as paid absence on maternity, insurance cover under the Anganwadi Karyakartri Bima Yojana have been extended to Anganwadi workers, who are honorary workes on contractual agreement. The Government has now ensured a reservation of 50 per cent of vacant posts of supervisors for Anganwadi workers, and recruitment of 25 per cent of Anganwadi workers from Anganwadi helpers.